The University of Newcastle, Australia

Local support for academic excellence will be celebrated at the University of Newcastle Ourimbah campus tonight with the annual Scholarships and Awards Night.

NSW Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Central Coast, John Della Bosca, will deliver the keynote address during the presentation of awards.

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Central Coast campuses, Professor Stephen Crump, said financial support from local business and professional groups for students was highly valuable.

"The value of the University and TAFE to the Central Coast region and community is recognised in the generous support provided through scholarships and prizes," Professor Crump said.

"The support offered by local businesses and enterprises, professional groups, and members of the community, provides worthy recognition for the academic achievements of students.

"The financial support enhances academic delivery by creating a link between education and work, something the University is working to expand to help meet skills shortages. It also helps students see the relevance of their studies to future employment."

Ten scholarships and 13 prizes will be awarded to students tonight for their academic achievements.

Wyong Shire Council, the Killarney Bateau Lions Club, Delta Electricity, the Williams Foundation and the Ourimbah Rotary Club have all provided financial support through scholarships.

Local firms Community Audit Services and Hoddinott Consulting have supported student prizes, along with local women's organisation, Zonta. Further prizes are supported by CPA Australia and the Australian College of Educators.

"The University of Newcastle is grateful for the local support offered for students studying at the Ourimbah campus," Professor Crump said.

"We will continue to work closely with our community to provide access to education and training."

Photo opportunity: The Scholarships and Awards night will take place from 6pm tonight, Tuesday 1 May, in the Board Room of the Administration Building, Ourimbah campus.

Scholarships

Wyong Shire Council Scholarship:

Presented on the basis of academic merit with preference given to students from the Wyong Shire - Jade Churchill and Mitchell Frew.

Killarney Bateau Lions Club Scholarship:

Awarded to a commencing student with the highest academic merit with a preference for students from The Entrance and Berkeley Vale High Schools - Erin Salmon.

Delta Electricity Scholarships:

Awarded on the basis of academic merit in the degree of Bachelor of Management - Peta Kerr-Thomson and Jessica Anderson.

Awarded on the basis of academic merit in the degree of Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts - Haley Neal.

Awarded on the basis of academic merit in Pre-Trade Engineering studies - Corrie Boss and Matthew Gough.

Williams IT Scholarship:

Awarded on the basis of academic merit in the degree of Bachelor of Applied Information Technology - Timothy Lynar.

Ourimbah Rotary Club Scholarship:

Awarded to a mature-age female student studying a Masters of Psychology - Joanne Walters.

Prizes

Community Audit Services Prizes:

Awarded to the highest achieving University student in Auditing - Robert O'Neill.

Awarded to the highest achieving TAFE student in Auditing - Hannah Sorensen and Alison Wyper.

CPA Australia Prizes:

Awarded to the highest achieving first year University student in Accounting - Jason Layt.

Awarded to the highest achieving second year University student in Accounting - Peter Cross.

Awarded to the highest achieving final year University student in Accounting - Robert O'Neill.

Hoddinott Consulting Prize

Awarded to the highest achieving male University student in Accounting - Jason Layt.

Awarded to the highest achieving female University student in Accounting - Melissa Trew.

Australian college of Educators Prize

Awarded for high academic achievement in the degree of Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching - Maxeen Webster.

Award for high academic achievement in the degree of Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts (Primary) - Andrew Myles.

Award for high academic achievement in the degree of Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts (Secondary) - Elizabeth Hill.

Zonta Prize

Awarded to a mature-age female student in TAFE - Kerry Wheeler and Louise Hitchcock.